Boys basketball: Wharton stuns Newsome

By JOE SMITH, Times Staff Writer
Published January 10, 2008

TAMPA - Wharton coach Comer Copeland said comparing his team with last season's group is like "apples and oranges."

The defending region finalist lost four starters - including Times player of the year Shawn Vanzant Butler - who went 78-12 in three seasons. Copeland, a longtime junior varsity coach, replaced Tommy Tonelli.

But in Wednesday's showdown with Newsome, the Wildcats got back to what guard Anthony Manuel called "old Wharton basketball."

Behind stifling defense and strong guard play, the Wildcats stunned Newsome 59-45, holding what Copeland called "the best team in the county" to its second-fewest points of the season.

Wharton (6-12, 3-3) showed how far it has come since starting 0-4 and remained in the mix with Newsome (10-3, 4-3) in a crowded Class 5A, District 8.

"They got all the hustle points and a lot of rebounds," Newsome coach Jon Mackey said. "They wanted it more than us. You can tell they're meshing well."

Manuel (19 points) and fellow senior guard Derek Holmes (11) sparked the Wildcats early with their shooting - and slashing, including a one-handed dunk by Holmes. Meanwhile, the two shut down Dylan Fugate (six points) and Joe Raga (11). Sophomore Samal Shepherd (13 of his 16 points in second quarter) kept the score tied at halftime.

But in the second half, sophomore Jordan Heath helped hold Shepherd to one point and guard Chris Jean-Louis (15 points) helped the Wildcats pull away. Jean-Louis said the win, which came after recent close losses to two of the bay area's best - Berkeley Prep (by two) and Pinellas Park (by four) - has the Wildcats feeling "we can play with the big boys."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or (813) 310-9024.

Wharton 59 Newsome 45

[Last modified January 9, 2008, 23:56:17]